Promising footballers Ben Hobbs and Sam Breuer impressed for the Victoria Country under-16 side against state rivals Vic Metro at the weekend.
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The pair performed admirably at GMHBA Stadium in Geelong, as their side battled hard but ultimately went down 10.7 (67) to 7.7 (49).
Horsham's Ben Hobbs said while the occasion was daunting he soon settled into the contest.
"Going to the game on the bus I was pretty nervous, but as soon as the first bounce went up I was fine," Hobbs said.
"There were a lot of important eyes watching too and people who had the chance to change my future, if I get drafted or not. So, there was a bit of pressure going into it, but it was good.
"It was probably one of the quickest games I've ever played intensity wise, and it was probably one of the best grounds I've ever played on too."
The Vic Country side led at every break but was eventually run over by it's Metro counterparts in the final quarter.
Hobbs was instrumental in the engine room, racking up 23 disposals and a goal in a productive outing.
Horsham Saint Sam Breuer was stationed at the back for his side and impressed with six tackles and 13 disposals.
Breuer said it was great to be able to grace one of the AFL's most prestigious football ovals.
"I just had goosebumps really, running out on to the field and it was great not having to avoid potholes like there are on some of the grounds in the country footy leagues," he said.
"Playing there was just unbelievable. I couldn't imagine anything better."
The clash was Hobbs and Breuer's first of the 2019 AFL under-16 Championship, after a long build-up that started with selection in a wider training squad in April.
The pair both said they had enjoyed the challenges the next step up had provided.
"It's been fantastic, obviously with a lot of other kids who have the same goal as me. Everyone's been really driven, and it's improved my footy a lot," Hobbs said.
"I have been really loving it, just being around some high-quality coaches who really know the game," Breuer said.
Vic Country travels to Queensland in early July for games against Western Australia and South Australia.
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